EP2468466A1 - Method and device for cutting multiple food products - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves supplying the food product (15) in a track (13a,13b,13c), which is interrupted if the remaining residual product in the track is not sufficient to form a more complete dose. The incomplete partial portions of the following products are completed by product slices (16). The partial portions are moved together in and against a conveying direction (F), where particularly a conveyor unit (21) is transversely applied to the conveying direction. An independent claim is also included for a device for simultaneously slicing multiple food products.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for simultaneously cutting several food products into portions comprising a plurality of product slices, in which the products are sliced with a common slicing apparatus, in particular a high-performance slicer, which has at least one cutting knife which rotates about a knife axis in a cutting plane and / or or planetary about a central axis and the products are supplied in multiple lanes.

Various types of food slicing apparatus are known in the art. For example, so-called high performance slicers are used to prepare food products, e.g. Sausage, meat or cheese, cut to high speed. Due to the principle of multi-track feeding, a single cutting device - with a correspondingly large knife - for simultaneous cutting of several product loaves or product bars - in the following simply: Products - can be used to further increase the cutting performance.

The separated product slices are usually assembled into portions - for example, in a stacked or shingled form - and then fed to further processing devices such as a packaging machine. Since the portions must have a predetermined weight and / or a predetermined number of slices, It may be that at the end of a product only an incomplete partial portion can be cut open. Since the further processing of incomplete portions is to be avoided, but on the other hand discarding of product slices is undesirable, particularly in the case of high-quality products, there is a need to complete incomplete partial portions. In principle, this can be done by completing incomplete partial portions at the end of the product after the provision of a new product by product slices of this subsequent product. However, there is the problem that in a product change first a non-usable end of the already cut product and then a likewise not usable portion of the new product must be removed. The incomplete partial portion must therefore, for example, on a portioning conveyor, initially conveyed away from the scope of the cutting blade and then fed back to this. In multi-lane cutting, this requires individually adjustable portioning conveyors for the individual lanes, since the products on the individual lanes normally do not run out of time exactly at the same time. The provision of individually controllable Portionierförderern is however complicated and expensive, since such Portionierförderer usually have to have additional functions. For example, portioning conveyors can be swiveled to the side or lowered downwards.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simple way to complete incomplete partial portions in a multi-lane slicing of food products.

The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, in each case the feeding of the product in a lane is interrupted if the remaining product residue in this lane is no longer sufficient to form a complete portion and in at least one of the other lanes the remaining product residue is still sufficient to form at least one complete portion. The product remains are cut into incomplete portions, after the product remains of all traces have reached a level which is insufficient to form a full portion, and the incomplete portions are completed by product slices of subsequent products.

Each track will be cut as long as it is possible to create full portions. Once this is no longer possible on one track, the slicing on that track will be interrupted and it will wait until the other tracks can no longer produce full portions. The slicing of the product residues resulting in incomplete partial portions then preferably takes place in a product residue exhaustion process common to all the slices. This has the advantage that the incomplete partial portions of all tracks can be conveyed away together from the effective range of the cutting blade in order to make room for the gate and its removal. After completion of the product change or bleed phase, the incomplete partial portions of all tracks can be transported back together, so as to be completed by slices of product to be rearranged subsequent products. An individually controlled conveying the incomplete partial portions is not required. The provision of individually controllable product feeds for the individual tracks is possible with less effort than the provision of individually controllable portioning conveyors.

Preferably, the partial portions are only moved together in and against a conveying direction, in particular a conveying unit undivided transversely to the conveying direction is used. This saves the effort to provide multiple conveyor units or conveyor sub-units.

According to one embodiment of the invention, upon interrupting the feeding, the product is moved into a blank-cut position withdrawn relative to the cutting plane. In this way, unwanted chips formation during the interruption of the product supply can be prevented.

The slicing of the product residues in the individual tracks can be coordinated in such a way that it ends at the same time in all tracks. In other words, the last usable product slice at the end of the product can be cut simultaneously on all traces. The trailing edges of the incomplete partial portions are then aligned flush. The completing can thus begin on all tracks at the same time.

Furthermore, the time sequence of the slicing of the product residues in the individual tracks can be coordinated on the basis of the size of the respective product residues, in particular when the product residues having the largest remaining product residue are cut open. The size of the respective product residues can be detected by suitable sensors. In practice, important characteristics of the product, such as length, thickness, cross-sectional shape or weight, are in principle recorded and stored before each slicing process. These data can be used advantageously to determine the size of the respective product residues. The fact that when cutting the product remains with the largest remaining product residue is started, a simultaneous termination of the product residue exhaustion process can be achieved.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the completion of the partial portions in all tracks is started simultaneously. This facilitates the coordination of the completion process.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the portions in the tracks after the completion are aligned relative to each other with respect to a conveying direction, preferably such that in relation to the conveying direction, the leading edges of the completed portions in all tracks are at the same height. The alignment can be achieved, for example, by means of track-specific, individually controllable belt conveyors - so-called portion-stop belts. In this way, the completed portions can be aligned in the same way as the regular cut whole portions. That is, in particular, the offset can be compensated, which results from the simultaneous termination of the product residues in the individual tracks and the resulting offset completion of the product residues in the individual tracks. Since the alignment can be done after the completion process at any point of the conveyor line, it is associated with much less effort than if a Portionierförderer would provide with individually controllable tracks.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the slicing of the product residues in all traces is started simultaneously. In this embodiment, the leading edges of the incomplete partial portions are aligned flush.

When completing the partial portions, it is possible to start with that partial portion which has the highest number of slices required for completing. The further traces may then later in the course of the completion process, depending on the length of the product residue later.

In particular, the completion of the partial portions in the individual tracks can be coordinated in such a way that the partial portions of all tracks are added at the same time to the last slice required for completion. In such an embodiment, a subsequent alignment of the completed portions relative to each other is not required, since the trailing edges of the completed portions and thus - with the same number of discs - whose leading edges are aligned flush from the outset.

The completion of the partial portions can be carried out after a common intermediate positioning in a waiting area and a common return to a Portionierbereich, in particular initially either the trailing edges of all subportions are simultaneously returned to a completion position or returned only the trailing edge of a first partial portion in a completion position and the trailing edges of the other partial portions beyond the completion position. While the partial portions are in the waiting area, the removal of the product end pieces and / or the cutting and removal of the cut can be carried out unhindered in the portioning region. If only the trailing edge of a first partial portion is returned to a completion position and the trailing edges of the other partial portions are returned beyond the completion position, care must be taken that the space is sufficient for returning, ie no product slices fall off the portioning conveyor. Such a configuration is therefore particularly suitable for flush-stacked or shingled portions to a small extent.

• das Zuführen des Produkts in einer Spur zu unterbrechen, falls der verbliebene Produktrest in dieser Spur nicht mehr zum Bilden einer vollständigen Portion ausreicht und in wenigstens einer der anderen Spuren der verbliebene Produktrest noch zum Bilden mindestens einer vollständigen Portion ausreicht, und
• die Produktreste zum Aufschneiden dem Schneidmesser zuzuführen, nachdem die Produktreste aller Spuren ein Maß erreicht haben, welches zum Bilden einer vollständigen Portion nicht mehr ausreicht.

The invention further relates to a device, in particular a Hochleistungsslicer, for simultaneous cutting of several food products in each product slices comprising portions, with a product feeder comprising a plurality of parallel juxtaposed conveyors, with which the products of a cutting plane can be fed in multiple lanes, in which at least one Cutting knife, in particular rotating and / or rotating, with the product feed is designed such that the supply movement for each track can be interrupted and resumed independently of the other tracks, a downstream of the cutting blade, at least a portion of the tracks associated transfer unit with the complete portions can be handed over to downstream devices and incomplete partial portions that are present after slicing of a product can be completed by product slices of a subsequent product, and he control device designed to

• stopping the feeding of the product in a lane if the remaining product residue in that lane is no longer sufficient to form a complete portion and in at least one of the other lanes the remaining product residue is still sufficient to form at least one complete portion;
• the product residues for slicing the cutting blade after the product remains of all traces have reached a level, which is no longer sufficient to form a complete portion.

Due to the fact that the feed movement for each track can be interrupted and resumed independently of the other tracks, a complex, individually controllable portioning conveyor can be saved.

The control device can in particular be designed to coordinate the operation of the product feed and the operation of the transfer unit for completing the partial portions, in particular in such a way that the cutting of the product remains in all the tracks ends simultaneously and the completion of the partial portions in all the tracks is started simultaneously, or that the slicing of the product remainders in all the tracks is started simultaneously and the completion of the partial servings is started with the partial portion having the highest number of slices required for completing.

The conveyors can each have their own drive. Alternatively, the conveyors may have a common drive, wherein an adjustable device for individually adjusting the conveying speed is provided for each track.

For transferring the partial portions in and against a conveying direction, the transfer unit preferably comprises at least one conveying unit undivided transversely to the conveying direction. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced compared to an arrangement with individually eligible partial portions. Furthermore, the transfer unit can comprise at least two conveyor units following one another in a conveying direction, wherein the completion of the partial portions formed on a first conveyor unit can be carried out after intermediate positioning of the partial portions on a second conveyor unit and return of the partial portions to the first conveyor unit.

The conveyor units may each comprise a belt conveyor, in particular an endless belt conveyor, which is operable both in and against the conveying direction.

Furthermore, the transfer unit may comprise a Ausrichtförderer, with the portions in the tracks after the completion relative to each other with respect to a conveying direction are aligned, preferably such that relative to the conveying direction, the leading edges of the completed portions in all tracks are at the same height.

Fig. 1 bis 8

zeigen vereinfachte Draufsichten auf eine Vorrichtung zum Aufschneiden von Lebensmittelprodukten gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

Fig. 9 bis 15

zeigen vereinfachte Draufsichten auf eine Vorrichtung zum Aufschneiden von Lebensmittelprodukten gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 to 8

show simplified plan views of a device for slicing food products according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 to 15

show simplified plan views of a device for slicing food products according to a second embodiment of the invention.

According to Fig. 1 For example, a high-performance slicer 11 includes a product feeder, not shown, which is adapted to food products 15 in a plurality of juxtaposed parallel tracks 13a, 13b, 13c along a conveying direction F to supply a cutting plane S, in which a rotating and / or rotating cutting blade (not shown) moves. The product feeder comprises one or more conveyors which are formed such that the feeding movement along the conveying direction F for each of the tracks 13a, 13b, 13c can be interrupted and resumed independently of the other tracks. As conveyors, for example, driven, engaging the rear end product, gripping claws and / or belt conveyors may be provided. A subordinate to the cutting blade transfer unit 19 ensures that complete product portions 17, which in the illustrated embodiment eight product slices 16 include, downstream devices, such as a packaging machine, submitable and each after cutting a product 15 existing incomplete partial portions by product slices 16 of a subsequent product 15th are complete. The transfer unit 19 comprises three successive conveyors, namely a portioning conveyor 21 arranged in the immediate vicinity of the cutting plane S, a control conveyor 23 downstream of the portioning conveyor 21 and an alignment conveyor 25 arranged downstream of the control conveyor 23, wherein the aligning conveyor 25 is designed to be split and for the individual tracks 13a , 13b, 13c is individually controllable.

At the in Fig. 1 shown operating state are continuously supplied on all tracks 13a, 13b, 13c, the products 15 of the cutting plane S, wherein a control device, not shown, ensures that on the Portionierförderer 21 complete portions 17 are created. The control device is capable of both the conveyors 21, 23, 25 of the transfer unit 19 and the product supply for the individual To control tracks 13a, 13b, 13c according to predetermined parameters and / or to regulate. By means of suitable sensors, all products 15 are measured and / or weighed before the start of the slicing operation. The corresponding data is transmitted to the control device and optionally stored.

Now, for example, as soon as the product 15 is running low on the right-hand track 13c and the remaining product residue in this track is no longer sufficient to form a complete portion 17, the remaining product remains on the other two tracks 13a, 13b, however, to form complete ones Portions 17 are sufficient, the feeding of the product 15 is interrupted on the right in the image product track 13c by appropriately driving the product supply and the product residue is transferred to a retracted Leerschnittstellung, as shown in Fig. 2 is shown. On the two left-hand tracks 13a, 13b, therefore, complete portions 17 are still produced in the usual way, whereas product slices are no longer separated on the right-hand track 13c. For example, as soon as the product 15 on the middle product track 13b has been cut to such an extent that the remaining product residue is no longer sufficient to form a complete portion 17, the slicing is interrupted also on this track 13b, ie the product feed is stopped and the product 15 becomes transferred to a withdrawn empty cut position.

Fig. 3 shows an operating state in which the remaining product remains on all tracks 13a, 13b, 13c are so short that full portions 17 can no longer be cut open. The products on all product tracks 13a, 13b, 13c are thus in the idle position. Out Fig. 3 shows that the last complete portion 17 has been cut on the left product track 13a. The complete Portions 17 are transferred in the usual way to subsequent facilities.

The product residues on the tracks 13a, 13b, 13c are of different lengths, i. the expected incomplete partial portions are of different sizes. The size of the product residue is independent of the time from which the remaining product residue is no longer sufficient to create a complete portion. Due to differences in product properties, e.g. a different cross-sectional shape, it may therefore be that the product residue on the track, in which first the blank cut operation was initiated, is the longest or shortest of all tracks.

In a common product residue exhaustion process, the product residues are now cut on all the tracks 13a, 13b, 13c, with the product residues being cut according to FIG Fig. 4 started with the largest remaining product residue on the middle track 13b. The other tracks 13a, 13c later follow in accordance with the size of their product residue, the control being such that the slicing of the product remains in all the tracks 13a, 13b, 13c simultaneously ends. The last usable product disk 16 is therefore cut simultaneously on all tracks 13a, 13b, 13c, so that the trailing edges 40 of the incomplete partial portions 27 are aligned flush, ie lie at the same height with respect to the conveying direction F. This condition is in Fig. 5 shown.

The remaining, no longer usable end pieces 29 are withdrawn from the cutting plane S and removed, for example by a valve provided in the product supply flap. Furthermore, the incomplete partial portions 27 are shared by the portioning conveyor 21 in FIG Conveying direction F promoted to the control conveyor 23, as shown in Fig. 6 is shown. New products 15 are now placed on all tracks 13a, 13b, 13c, wherein the non-usable gate is cut open in each case and removed from the portioning conveyor 21, which is operated counter to the conveying direction F for this purpose. The new products 15 are then preferably returned to the in Fig. 6 transferred shown blank position.

Subsequently, according to Fig. 7 the incomplete partial portions 27 are conveyed against the conveying direction F by the control conveyor 23 back to the portioning conveyor 21 and positioned in such a way that the shingled partial portions 27 are correctly further shingled by again separated product slices 16. Now, on all the tracks 13a, 13b, 13c, the completion of the partial portions 27 is started, ie the products 15 are simultaneously fed from the blanking position from the cutting plane S. As soon as the first partial portion 27 is completed, the product 15 is moved back to the empty-cut position on the corresponding track, in this case on the central track 13b. At the in Fig. 7 shown operating state, the two right tracks 13b, 13c are already in the idle position, while on the left track 13a just the last disc 16 has been cut off to complete the partial portion. The completed portions 17, which are arranged offset to each other at both the front edge 30 and the trailing edge 40 due to the different beginning of the product residue Abbrauchprozesses along the conveying direction F, are from the Portionierförderer 21 on the control conveyor 23 and from there to the shared Ausrichtförderer 25 moves.

As in Fig. 8 shown by arrows, the leading edges 30 of the completed portions 17 on the split alignment conveyor 25 - for example by means of individually controllable portion stop bands - aligned such that relative to the conveying direction F, the leading edges 30 of the completed portions 17 in all tracks 13a, 13b, 13c are at the same height. All existing partial portions are now completed to complete portions 17 and aligned correctly with each other. In addition, on the tracks 13a, 13b, 13c again with the continuous operation according to Fig. 1 are started, in which full portions 17 are cut open in a regular manner.

An alternative method of slicing food products in multiple lanes will be described with reference to FIGS Fig. 9 to 15 described. The in the Fig. 9 to 15 shown Hochleistungsslicer 11 is similar in construction as in the first embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 8 , but here can be dispensed with the split Ausrichtförderer 25. Portions 17 'are created which are shingled with only slight misalignment. Fig. 9 again shows a continuous operating state, in which continuously successive complete product portions 17 'created and transferred by a transfer unit 19' to a downstream processing device.

As in the first embodiment, the supply of the product 17 'in, for example, the right track 13c is interrupted if the remaining product residue in that track is no longer sufficient to form a full portion 17' and the remaining product remains in the other two tracks 13a, 13b sufficient to form at least one complete portion 17 '. On the two left product tracks 13a, 13b then continue full portions 17 'cut, whereas the product 15 is moved on the right product track 13c in the idle position. This condition is in Fig. 10 shown.

As soon as, for example, on the left product track 13a, the product residue is likewise no longer sufficient to form a complete portion 17 ', the product 15 on this product track 13a is also moved into the empty-cut position. Fig. 11 shows an operating condition in which the remaining product remains on all tracks 13a, 13b, 13c are no longer sufficient to form a complete portion 17 'and in which, accordingly, the products 15 on all tracks 13a, 13b, 13c have been transferred to the idle position. How out Fig. 11 As a result, the product 15 of the middle product lane 13b was last transferred to the blank cut position.

According to Fig. 12 now the incomplete partial portions 27 'are cut open, wherein in all tracks 13a, 13b, 13c is started simultaneously with the slicing of the remaining product residues. Accordingly, therefore, the leading edges 30 of the partial portions 27 'on all tracks 13a, 13b, 13c aligned flush, ie they are based on the conveying direction F at the same height. Once all product remains are cut except for the non-exploitable end pieces 29, the previously formed partial portions 27 'of the Portionierförderer 21 promoted to the control conveyor 23. The end pieces 29 are then removed as described above. Furthermore, new products 15 are inserted and cut into the high-performance slicer 11. Once the non-recyclable gate is removed from the portioning conveyor 21 ( Fig. 13 ), the partial portions 27 'are again conveyed back against the conveying direction F by the control conveyor 23 to the portioning conveyor 21. In this case, the trailing edge 40 of the partial portion 27 'of the right-hand lane 13c is returned to a completion position, while the trailing edges 40 of the other - longer - partial portions 27' are consequently returned beyond the completion position. Subsequently, the partial portions 27 'are completed, with the partial portion 27' on the right Starting track 13c, which has the highest number of product slices 16 required for completing. This operating state is in Fig. 14 shown.

The other product tracks 13a, 13b "fly" on completion, depending on when the trailing edge 40 of the respective partial portion 27 'reaches the completion position. After completion of this process, both the leading edges 30 and the trailing edges 40 of the completed portions 17 'are aligned flush. The completed portions 17 'can now be transferred in the usual way and the formation of new complete portions 17' according to the in Fig. 9 shown continuous operating state can be used again.

This alternative is also suitable for portions of flush-stacked slices. The extent to which this alternative is generally suitable for shingled portions depends on the degree to which the particular device allows each to return portions with their trailing edges beyond the completion position without slices falling off.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

high-performance slicer

13a, 13b, 13c

product tracking

15

product

16

product slice

17, 17 '

portion

19, 19 '

Transfer unit

21

Portionierförderer

23

control conveyor

25

Ausrichtförderer

27, 27 '

subportion

29

tail

30

leading edge

40

trailing edge

F

conveying direction

S

cutting plane

Claims (15)

Method for simultaneously cutting several food products (15) into portions (17, 17 ') which in each case comprise a plurality of product slices (16), in which the products (15) are cut with a common slicing device (11), in particular a high-performance slicer, which has at least one cutting blade which rotates in a cutting plane (S) about a knife axis and / or orbiting around a central axis planetary and the products (15) are supplied in multiple tracks, wherein - In each case the feeding of the product (15) in a track (13a, 13b, 13c) is interrupted if the remaining product residue in this track is no longer sufficient to form a complete portion (17, 17 ') and in at least one of the other tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) the remaining product residue is sufficient to form at least one complete portion (17, 17 '), - the product residues are cut into incomplete partial portions (27, 27 ') after the product residues of all traces (13a, 13b, 13c) have reached a level which is insufficient to form a complete portion (17, 17'), and - The incomplete partial portions (27, 27 ') by product slices (16) of subsequent products (15) are completed. Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the partial portions (27, 27 ') are only moved together in and against a conveying direction (F), wherein in particular a conveying unit (21) undivided transversely to the conveying direction (F) is used. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
upon interrupting the feeding, the product (15) is moved to a blank cutting position withdrawn relative to the cutting plane (S). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the slicing of the product residues in the individual tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) is coordinated in such a way that it ends simultaneously in all the tracks (13a, 13b, 13c), and / or that the chronology of the slicing of the product residues in the individual tracks ( 13a, 13b, 13c) is coordinated on the basis of the size of the respective product residues, wherein in particular when cutting the product residues with the largest remaining product residue is started. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the completion of the partial portions (27) in all tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) is started simultaneously. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the portions (17) in the tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) after completion are aligned relative to each other with respect to a conveying direction (F), preferably such that in relation to the conveying direction (F) the leading edges (30) of the completed portions (17) lie in the same height in all tracks (13a, 13b, 13c). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
with the slicing of the product residues in all traces (13a, 13b, 13c) is started simultaneously. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the completion of the partial portions (27 ') in the individual tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) is coordinated in such a way that the partial portions (27') of all tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) at the same time add the last product slice (16) required for completion is, and / or that in completing the partial portions (27 ') is started with that partial portion having the highest number of product slices (16) required for completion. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the completion of the partial portions (27, 27 ') takes place after a common intermediate positioning in a waiting area and a common return to a portioning area, wherein in particular first either the trailing edges (40) of all partial portions (27) are simultaneously returned to a completion position or only the trailing edge (40) of a first partial portion (27 ') returned to a completion position and the trailing edges (40) of the other partial portions (27 ') are returned beyond the completion position. Device (11), in particular high-performance slicer, for simultaneous cutting of several food products (15) in each of several product slices (16) comprising portions (17, 17 '), with - A product feeder comprising a plurality of parallel juxtaposed conveyors, with which the products (15) of a cutting plane (S) can be fed in multiple tracks, in which at least one cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or rotating, moves, wherein the product supply is formed in that the feeding movement for each track (13a, 13b, 13c) can be interrupted and resumed independently of the other tracks, - One of the cutting blade downstream, at least a portion of the tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) associated transfer unit (19, 19 '), with the complete portions (17, 17') can be transferred to downstream devices and in each case after cutting a product (15) existing incomplete partial portions (27, 27 ') can be completed by product slices (16) of a subsequent product (15), and - A control device which is adapted to interrupt the feeding of the product (15) in a track (13a, 13b, 13c), if the remaining product residue in this track is no longer sufficient to form a complete portion (17, 17 ') and in at least one of the other tracks the remaining product remains sufficient to form at least one complete portion (17, 17 '), and to supply the product residues for slicing to the cutting blade after the product remains of all the tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) have reached a level which is no longer sufficient to form a complete portion (17, 17 '). Device according to claim 10,
characterized in that
the control device is designed to coordinate the operation of the product feed and the operation of the transfer unit (19, 19 ') to complete the partial portions (27, 27'), in particular such
the slicing of the product residues in all the tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) ends simultaneously and the completion of the partial portions (27) in all the tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) is started simultaneously, or that the slicing of the product remains in all tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) is started at the same time and when the partial portions (27 ') are completed, the partial portion is started which has the highest number of product slices (16) required for completion. Device according to claim 10 or 11,
characterized in that
the conveyors each have their own drive, and / or that the conveyors have a common drive, wherein for each track (13a, 13b, 13c) an adjustable means for individually adjusting the conveying speed is provided. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12,
characterized in that
the transfer unit (19, 19 ') for exclusive joint movement of the partial portions (27, 27') in and against a conveying direction (F) at least one transversely to the conveying direction (F) undivided conveyor unit (21). Device according to one of claims 10 to 13,
characterized in that
the transfer unit (19, 19 ') comprises at least two conveying units (21, 23) following each other in a conveying direction (F), the completion of the partial portions (27, 27') formed on a first conveying unit (21) after intermediate positioning of the partial portions (21). 27, 27 ') on a second conveyor unit (23) and return of the partial portions (27, 27') to the first conveyor unit (21) is feasible, wherein in particular the conveyor units (21, 23) each comprise a belt conveyor, in particular an endless belt conveyor , which is operable both in and against the conveying direction (F). Device according to one of claims 10 to 14,
characterized in that
the transfer unit (19) comprises an alignment conveyor (25) with which the portions (17) in the tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) after completion can be aligned relative to each other with respect to a conveying direction (F), preferably such that the conveying direction (F) related to the leading edges (30) of the completed portions (17) in all tracks (13a, 13b, 13c) are at the same height.

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